Social Psychology

Human attraction to fictional characters may follow the same evolutionary rules as real-life dating. A study of anime fans found that "waifus" and "husbandos" are selected based on physical and emotional traits that mirror real-world mate selection strategies.

Parents often worry about screen time, but how teens use apps matters more. A new study reveals distinct user profiles, suggesting that online platforms mostly reinforce existing friendships rather than helping isolated youth build new connections.

When people feel physically closer to someone who could be harmed, they are less willing to sacrifice that person for the greater good, according to a new finding reported in Cognition & Emotion.

A new longitudinal study challenges the idea that mental illness drives racism. Instead, researchers found that holding prejudiced attitudes predicts increased psychological distress over time, suggesting that bigotry may be detrimental to mental well-being.

Support for redistributing wealth may stem from deep evolutionary instincts to avoid conflict. New studies reveal that the fear of being violently dispossessed and a desire to enforce equality are key predictors of progressive policy preferences.

Narcissistic personality traits may blur professional boundaries in academia. A new study finds that grandiose narcissism predicts frequent flirting with professors, while both narcissistic forms view such interactions as less morally troubling.

A new study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience provides evidence that the human brain processes romantic partners differently than close friends, specifically within the reward system. The research suggests that while the brain creates a unique...

New research indicates that while support for banning hate speech depends largely on how old you are, the recent drop in support for general free speech is a societal shift affecting everyone equally.

A new study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that having a sense of power in a relationship promotes sexual assertiveness, while perceiving a partner as powerful fosters a willingness to accommodate their needs. The findings indicate...

By analyzing 175 couples, researchers have identified the primary psychological pathway linking emotional intelligence to relationship satisfaction. The findings point to the critical role of extrinsic emotion regulation, specifically the act of valuing.

Physical vulnerability usually leads to caution, but pregnancy might change that equation. New evidence published in the British Journal of Psychology suggests perinatal women become less submissive and more dominant when facing social threats to their resources.

A new study suggests that online attention paid to Donald Trump helps predict optimism on Wall Street. Researchers found that spikes in Google searches for the president tend to precede increases in bullish sentiment among individual investors.

Researchers found that days with sex are generally days with less stress, but there is a catch. If the encounter is driven by this specific motivation, it is associated with feeling worse the next day.

Scientists have identified a pathway from traits like vulnerable narcissism to compulsive technology use. The findings indicate that social media apps often trigger broader phone dependency in emotionally fragile users.

A new analysis reveals that accumulated life stress and resulting body inflammation account for nearly half of the difference in death rates between Black and White adults in the U.S.